A heartfelt conversation on soap opera fandom & more. Paul Gosselin, Annie Armstrong and Elisa Smith share how soaps shaped identity, offered comfort, and built community across generations.

In this special episode of The Locher Room, we dive into Soap Operas, Fandom & More with three voices whose stories highlight why daytime television continues to matter.

Paul Gosselin, Annie Armstrong, and Elisa Smith share deeply personal reflections on growing up with soaps, finding comfort and identity in these stories, and forming emotional connections to characters who felt like family. From Guiding Light devotion and fan letters to academic reflection, personal loss, and multigenerational viewing, this conversation explores how soap operas offer sanctuary, community, and hope.

Born out of the Soap Operas in Popular Culture Conference, this episode goes beyond television to examine the power of storytelling — how it helps us navigate grief, isolation, and change, and why these shows remain meaningful across decades.

Whether you’re a lifelong soap fan or someone who understands the importance of stories that show up for us every day, this is a heartfelt, thoughtful conversation you won’t want to miss.